Self-contained tennis ball storage container and pressurizing device



Decl0, 1968 -W.J. VAN NATTER 3,415,357

SELF-CONTAINED TENNIS BALL STORAGE CONTAINER AND PRESSURIZING DEVICEFiled Deo. 26, 1967l 2 Sheets-Sheet l NToR. a WILL/AM J. VAN NATTE? BYwww@ ATTORNEYS Dec. 10, 1968 w. J. VAN N'ATTER -CON'IAINED TENNIS BALLSTORAGE CONTAINE SELF AND PRESSURIZING DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 4FiledDeo. 26, 1967 'lllllll illlllllx Il United States Patent O 3,415,357SELF-CONTAINED TENNIS BALL STORAGE CON- TAINER AND PRESSURIZING DEVICE`William J. Van Natter, 401 Tower Bldg., Seattle, Wash. 98101 Filed Dec.26, 1967, Ser. No. 693,589 19 Claims. (Cl. 206-1) ABSTRACT OF THEDISCLOSURE Self-contained or combined tennis ball :storage container andpressurizing device. One embodiment is in the form of an attachment fora conventional tennis ball can having a plurality of filler elementsoccupying most of the air space around the balls placed in the containerto form a ball occupying chamber, with a compression cylinder iitted inairtight relation over the top of said container and containing acollapsible air bladder, and with toggle linkages for telescoping thecompression cylinder over the container to force air from the bladderinto the container, thus pressurizing the ball occupying chamber. Asecond embodiment includes a cylindrical container having fillerelements to lill the air space around the balls, a collapsible bellowsremovably fastened in airtight relation over the top of the container,and two latches for fastening the compressed bellows to the sides of thecontainer. A third embodiment includes a container in which the ballsare placed in a generally horizontal plane, the air space around theballs being iilled with llers to dene a ball occupying chamber, acontainer end closure removably fastened to the container in airtightrelation, and a screw actuated bellows fastened to the container endclosure for pressurizing the ball occupying chamber. A fourth embodimentincludes a container having a bottom half in the configuration of threesemi-spherical cups in a generally horizontal plane, a top halfremovably fastened in airtight relation to the bottom half and havingthe conguration of three inverted semi-spherical cups, and a pump in theform of a resilient disk integrally formed on said top half of thecontainer and being provided with check valve means for retaining airpumped into said ball occupying chamber.

Background of the invention Field of the invention- This inventionpertains to apparatus for maintaining pressure of tennis balls and thelike and, more particularly, relates to a self-contained tennis 'ballstorage container and air pressurization device.

Description of the prior art-Tennis balls are resilient due, in part, tointernal pressurization by air or gas of an amount suiicient to obtain aspecified amount of rebound when the balls are dropped on a hardsurface. The internal pressurizing air escapes after a period of timedue to the differential between the internal pres-sure of the ball andatmospheric pressure causing diffusion of the air outwardly through theball casing. In addition, some balls tend to grow in size due tointernal pressure causing them to be outside of specified measurements.New balls are sold in pressurized cans so that there will be no pressuredifferential and the balls will retain their internal pressure andmaintain their specified size. Once the can is opened, however, and thepressurized environment is lost, the balls tend to no longer maintaintheir size and internal pressure.

One solution to this problem has been to store the balls after play in acontainer that is pressurized by an external source. One such device isshown, for example, in the patent to Miller 2,012,283. In this patentthe container is pressurized to a magnitude approximately equal to theinternal pressure of the balls. This device, however, requires pressurefrom an external source and thus necessitates the inconvenience ofstopping: at a service station or carrying an air pump with the othertennis equipment. In addition, this type of device is generallyexpensive to manufacture since valving mechanisms are required to retainthe air in the container.

Summary of the invention unique arrangement of a single or partialstroke air pressurization means and a container having llers or beingotherwise configured to form generally spherical ball occupying chambermeans such that a minimal amount of air is needed to obtain the desiredmagnitude of pressurization.

Brief description of the drawings FIG. 1 is an isometric, broken awayview of one form of self-contained tennis ball storage container andpressurizing apparatus embodying the invention.

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal vertical section of the apparatus shown in FIG.l.

FIG. 3 is an exploded isometric View of a second form of apparatusembodying the invention.

FIG. 4 is a vertical section of the apparatus shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is an isometric -view of a third form of apparatus embodying theinvention.

FIG. 6 is a vertical section of the apparatus shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is an isometric, broken away view of still a further form ofapparatus embodying the invention.

Description of the preferred embodiments The embodiment shown in FIGS. land 2 is in the form of an attachment for conventional cylindrical cansof the type in which tennis balls are commonly sold. The can orcontainer means is indicated generally by the reference numeral 10 andincludes a closed bottom 12 and an open top 14. Surrounding the lowerhalf of the can is an attachment mechanism 16 which comprises anencircling band 18 and a pair of diametrically opposed, longitudinallyextending clips 20, each having la U-shaped end 22 that tits around thelower rim of the can. The clips 20 are pivotally attached to the band 18by pivot pins 24 that are mounted in apertured ears 26 integrally formedon the band.

Air pressurization means including a compression cylinder 28 isconnected to the attaching mechanism 16 in a manner to be laterdescribed and includes a closed upper end 30 and a cylindrical side wall32 that terminates at its lower end in a radially inwardly directed ange34. A closure disk 36 is carried in the compression cylinder and whendisengaged from the tennis ball can 10 is retained in the cylinder bythe ange 34. The outer peripheral portion ofthe disk terminates in adownwardly opening channel 38 in which is seated a rubber or like sealring 40. As can be readily seen in FIG. 2, the midpoint of the channelis approximately aligned with the lip of the open end 14 of the can 10such that the ring 40 may effectively seal the open end of the can.

For the purpose of admitting pressurizing air into the can 10, the disk36 is provided with a central aperture 42. An apertured plug 44 isfitted int-o the central aperture 42 and has a circular bottom flange 46bonded to the underside of the disk 36 and a circular upper liange 48bonded to the disk and to the lower inside surface of a variable volumeair chamber or bladder 50. The air bladder is of any suitable iiexible,resilient, air impervious material, such as rubber or the like, andgenerally fills the inside of the compression cylinder 28. As may bereadily seen, air entrapped in the expanded bladder while the cylinderis removed from the can will be forced through the plug 44 as thecompression cylinder is telescoped around the can.

The can is shown filled with balls B and filler elements 52 of rubber,plastic or other high density material that is relatively impervious toair. The filler elements have transverse surfaces 54 that are spacedfrom the transverse surfaces of the opposite llers when installed in thecan to provide a channel for air to pass throughout the entire length ofthe can. The fillers are configured to the shape of the balls and form aball occupying chamber 55. Consequently, a full or even partial strokeof the compression cylinder 28 is sufiicient to pressurize the remainingunoccupied volume in the can.

Although the compression cylinder 28 may be lowered by pressing with thepalm of the hand and then strapped or otherwise held in place, it ispreferable to provide manually actuatable means 56 for lowering thecompression cylinder in the lowered position. For this purpose thisfirst embodiment of the invention comprises a pair of toggle arms 57which are pivotally connected to pivot pins 58 mounted in apertured ears60 formed integrally on the compression cylinder 28. Although not shown,the

toggle arms may be adjustable to accommodate various i can sizes and toapply different pressures. The toggle arms are provided at their lowerends with elbows 66 each having apertures that receive a pivot pin 68.The pivot pins 68 are also mounted in apertures provided in the spacedsides of channel-like lever arms 70 which are pivotally connected to thepivot pins 24. As best shown in FIG. 2, the axes of the pivot pins 24lie radially outwardly of an imaginary line drawn between the axes ofthe pivot pins 58 and 68. This, of course, provides a locking action tomaintain the seal at ring and prevent escape of the compressed airwithin the can and bladder.

Since all of the parts may be made of plastic, or where extra strengthis required of metal, it may be seen that the combined can andpressurizing device may be inexpensively fabricated. In addition, sincethe can and cylindrical cylinder are combined the pressurizing sourcetakes up relatively little extra space.

In use, the encircling band 1S and clips 20 are slid over the bottom endof the can 10 until the U-shaped ends 22 Contact the bottom rim of thecan. The lever arms 70 are raised to permit the compression cylinder 28to be fitted over the open top of the can. The disk 36 is then fittedover the upper end of the can with the seal ring 40 in engagement withthe rim. Then, as the lever arms 70 `are lowered into locking position,the compression cylinder is telescoped along the can, forcing some ofthe air in the bladder into the ball occupying chamber 55.

The embodiment shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 is adapted to hold balls in agenerally horizontal plane rather than vertically. In this embodimentthe ball container means includes a lower container 72 having a bottomend 74 `and a cylindrical side wall 76. Lower and upper fillers 78 and80 are provided in the lower container and are configured to ferm a balloccupying chamber 79 comprised of a plurality of opposed semisphericalcups. The upper filler 80 is provided with bores 82 to permit air topass through the upper filler into the ball occupying chamber. Lockingmembers or latches in the form of T-shaped bars 84 are pivotally pinnedbetween spaced ears 86 formed integrally on the cylindrical side wall 76of the lower container. Three such sets of T-shaped bars and ears areprovided at equidistantly spaced locations. Each T-shaped bar terminatesin a threaded end 87 and has threaded thereon a wing nut 88 or the like.

A circular top 98 having a downwardly extending ange 92 is provided forclosing the lower container 72. A seal in the form of an annular rubberor like ring 94 is seated against the underside of the circular topadjacent the liange 92 and seats also against the upper edge of thecylindrical side wall 76 of the lower container. Three equidistantlyspaced, forked fingers 96 extend generally radially outward from theperipheral edge of the circular top and receive the T-shaped bars 84.The wing nuts 88 may be tightened against the forked fingers to closeand seal the circular top on the container.

Air pressurization means or a bellows 98 of suitable air impervious,flexible material is bonded to the upper surface of the circular top andcommunicates in air flow relation with the ball occupying chamber 79 viaa central aperture 99. The bellows 98 constitutes a variable volume airchamber and when compressed forces air into the ball occupying chamber.

In this form of the invention the manually actuatable means for thecompression of the bellows includes an inverted U-shaped bracket 100that is integrally formed on the upper surface of the circular top 90.The bracket has a central threaded aperture 102 that receives a threadedrod 104. The upper end of the threaded rod is pinned or otherwisesuitably fixed to handle 106. The lower end of the rod terminates in anelliptical ball 108. The ball is suitably positioned in an ellipticalopening formed in a circular disk 112. Thus, in effect, the threaded rodand disk are joined by a conventional ball and socket connection.

In use the balls B are placed in the ball occupying chamber 79 formed bythe lower and upper fillers 78 and 80 and the circular top 90 is fittedonto the lower container. The wing nuts 88 are tightened on the forkedfingers 96 to close and seal the container. Finally the handle 106,which is initially in a retracted position, is turned, lowering thethreaded rod 104 and the disk 112 to force the air trapped in thebellows 98 through the aperture 99 into the ball occupying chamber. Thepressure of the air in the ball occupying chamber may be adjusted byvarying the position of the disk 112.

The embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrates acontainer means which includes a lower container half 118 in the form ofthree semi-spherical cups 120 integrally joined by a triangular plate122. The lower plate is provided with three apertured bosses 124 inwhich are fixed by any suitable means upstanding, threaded studs 126.

An upper container half 128 includes three inverted cups 129 integrallyconnected by a triangular plate 130. The triangular plate 130 has threeequidistantly spaced apertures 132 arranged with respect to the invertedcups 129 so that the inverted cup will be aligned with the cups 120 whenthe apertures 132 are settled over the studs 126 to form a balloccupying chamber 127. A gasket 134 is seated on the upper surface ofthe triangular plate 122 and forms an airtight seal between the lowercontainer and the container top when closed and tightened against oneanother. The container top is tightly held by wing nuts 136 threaded onthe studs 126.

One of the differences between this embodiment and the other embodimentsdescribed is that this embodiment comprises an air pressurization meansadapted for multiple compression strokes, i.e. a pumping action, ratherthan a single compression stroke. Whereas the air pressurization meansrequiring a single or partial stroke is an advantageous feature in thatit is inexpensive to fabricate, occasions may require the iiexibility ofa multi-stroke pump. For this purpose a rigid circular plate 140 iswelded to the container top 128 and a iiexible, inverted dish-likediaphragm 142 is fastened to the rigid circular plate 140 by a retainerring 144 which is suitably secured to the rigid plate by bolts or rivets145. A small stitlening plate or manually actuatable means 146 of metal,plastic or the like is bonded to the upper surface of the diaphragm forthe purpose of supplying strength and rigidity to the diaphragm. Aconvential flap valve 148 covers an air inlet 149 in the rigid plate 140to allow air to enter the diaphragm but not exit through the inlet. Boththe rigid plate 140 and the triangular plate 130 are provided withcentral apertures which are interconnected by a small tube 148. Aconventional ball-type check valve 150 is provided in the lower end ofthe tube to permit air to pass from the diaphragm into the balloccupying chamber 127 but not to exit therefrom.

In the use of this embodiment, the balls are placed in the cups 120` andthe container top 128 is lowered into place on the studs 126. After thewing nuts 136 are tightened to effect an airtight seal, the diaphragm isflexed a few times, as by the user stepping on plate 146, to pump airinto the ball occupying chamber 127. The pumping may be continued untilthe desired pressu-re is obtained.

The embodiment shown in FIG. 7 shows a container means including acylindrical container 152 having a cylind-rical side wall 154 and athreaded end enclosure 156. A gasket 158 is placed between the endclosure and the cylindrical side wall to effect an airtight seal. Theupper end of the cylindrical container 152 terminates in an innerperipheral flange 160 that forms a central opening 162. A ring 164 isthreaded over the upper end of the cylindrical container and is providedwith a peripheral lip 166 in which is seated a rubber or like seal ring168. The air pressurization means of this embodiment of the inventionincludes a collapsible bellows 169 bonded at its lower end to theoutside surface of the ring 164. The bellows may be made of any suitableflexible, air impermeable material such as rubber, molded plastic or thelike and may be resilient if desired.

Manually actuatable means for the bellows comprises a rigid disk 170bonded to the upper edges of the bellows 169, with an integrally formedupright channel member 172. The opposite ends of the channel receivepivot pins 176 on which are pivotally mounted a pair of clips 178. Eachclip has an inwardly upturned end 180 that is latchable, when thebellows is compressed, beneath a catch 182 on each side of thecylindrical container 152 for locking the bellows in its compressedposition.

The plurality of ller elements 190, slightly spaced from one another asat 194, occupy substantially all of the air space around the balls B anddefine a ball occupying chamber 195. The filler elements 190 arepreferably somewhat loose fitting so that air may pass between the ballsand the fillers and around the radial outer surfaces of the fillers topressurize the entire container.

In the use of this embodiment the balls B and filler elements 190 areplaced in the container 152 through either end thereof. After threadedreplacement of either ring 164 or the end enclosure 156, depending onwhich was removed, the bellows 169 is collapsed by pushing downwardly onthe disk 170 to force vair into the ball occupying chamber 195 and theclips 178 are then fastened beneath the catches 182.

I claim:

:1. Self-contained storage apparatus for tennis balls and the like,comprising:

(a) container means providing a ball occupying chamber, configured tohave a relatively small volume of air surrounding a plurality of balls;

(b) air pressurization means st-ructurally integrated with saidcontainer means and having a variable volume air chamber with a maximumvolume substantially greater than the volume of air surrounding theballs in thetcontainer means, such variable volume air chamber being inair iiow communication with the ball occupying chamber;

(c) means enabling placement of the balls in the container means aclosure of the ball occupying chamber with the variable volume airchamber at substantially its maximum volume and with the air in saidchambers at substantially atmospheric pressure; and

(d) said air pressurization means including manually actuatable meansfor reducing the volume of the variable volume air chamber and thusincreasing the air pressure in the ball occupying chamber.

2. The apparatus defined by claim 1, wherein said air pressurizationmeans is provided with flexible walls.

3. The apparatus defined by claim 2, wherein said flexible walls are inthe form of the bladder.

4. The apparatus defined by 4claim 2, wherein said flexible walls are inthe form of a diaphragm.

5. The apparatus defined by claim 2, wherein said flexible walls are inthe form of a bellows.

6. The apparatus defined by claim 1, wherein said container meansincludes filler elements configured to substantially fill the spacearound the balls so as to form said ball occupying chamber.

7. The apparatus defined by claim 1, said container means having outerwall means in the form of spherical cups which define said balloccupying chamber.

8. Apparatus defined by claim 1, said container means having:

(a) an open end for inserting the balls into said ball occupyingchamber;

(b) a closure member having an end surface for closing said open end andan aperture communicating with said air pressurization means, saidenclosure and said air pressurization means being integrally formed as asingle unit.

9. The apparatus defined by claim 1, wherein said container means has:

(a) two spaced ends, one of said ends having a closure surface providedwith an aperture in communication with said air pressurization means andsaid air pressurization means being integrally connected to said closuresurface, and said other end having a lremovable enclosure for insertingtennis balls into said ball occupying chamber.

10. The apparatus defined by claim 2, wherein said flexible wall airpressurization means and said container means form a unitary hollowcylinder, a part of which defines said ball occupying chamber, andwherein the air pressure in said ball occupying chamber is increased tothe desired pressure by a single partial stroke of said flexible wallair pressurization means.

11. The apparatus defined by claim 2, further including latch means forholding said manually actuatable means in an actuated position whereinthe ball occupying chamber remains pressurized.

12. The apparatus defined by claim 4, wherein said air pressurizationmeans includes valve means for controlling the passage of air betweensaid diaphragm and said ball occupying chamber.

13. The apparatus defined by claim 2, wherein said air pressurizationmeans include a compression cylinder confining an air imperviousbladder, the interior of said bladder communicating with the interior ofsaid ball occupying chamber.

14. The apparatus defined by claim 13, wherein said manually actuatablemeans includes:

(a) at least two toggle arms pivotally connected alongside saidcompression cylinder; and

(b) at least two latch arms pivotally connected to said toggle arms forreciprocating said toggle arms and selectively locking them againstmovement.

15. The apparatus defined by claim 14, further including attachmentmeans securable over said container means for supporting said latcharms.

16. The apparatus defined by claim 15, wherein said container means is aconventional cylindrical can of the type in which tennis balls aremarketed.

17. The apparatus defined by claim 5, wherein said References Citedactuatable means includes: UNITED STATES P (a) a threaded rod; and

(b) a handle for turning Said rod. 1,842,456 1/1932 MacKenzie 206-46 18.The apparatus defined by claim 8, wherein said 5 119101930 5/1933 Moms20G-46 container means is substantially entirely molded plastic.

19. The apparatus defined by claim 1, wherein said ball JAMES B' MARBERTPrimal), Exammer' occupying chamber includes three spherical cupsaligned U.S, C1, X,R.

in a generally horizontal plane. 206-47

